Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction is an aesthetic procedure aiming at reducing, reshaping and uplifting breasts in order to offer symmetry of the body. Considering a breast reduction at age 18 is ideal, since all body parts are considered fully developed.
Women seeking this operation typically seek for both an aesthetic result as well as release from functional symptoms, since excessive weight of the breasts lead to neck and shoulder pains thus decreasing a woman’s quality of life.
Technique
There are many variations to the design of the incisions for breast reduction, depending on the breast size and volume and the excess skin. In most cases, one incision is made around the areola, another runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the crease underneath the breast, while the third incision follows the natural curve of the breast crease. After the excess breast tissue, fat and skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position depending on the case, and the breast is reshaped. Finally, breast incisions are closed with the use of dissolvable sutures and the breast is supported with a surgical bra.
What to expect after surgery:
- Sutures are removed in 12 days.
- The pain is usually minimal and easily controlled with painkillers.
- Scars on your breasts after breast reduction surgery will eventually soften and fade over time (usually a year) to a satisfactory degree.
- Loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts is often temporary, lasting only a few months postoperatively.
- It can take 5 to 6 months to fully see the outstanding results of your surgery; however the first results are noticeable right after the procedure.
Risks and Side Effects
There are rare complications following breast reduction. However, in cases of gigantomastia or when the patient is a heavy smoker, wound healing problems and, less commonly, haematoma of the nipple and the areola, are possible side effects.
Useful Information
- It can be difficult to detect and diagnose any breast tumor or lump in women with large and dense breasts.
- It might take 4 to 5 days until you feel comfortable to return to your everyday activities - if they only involve office work. You can expect to return to intense physical activities in 2 weeks.
- Achieving the best possible result involves the correct use of a bra as well as the understanding that weight fluctuation, skin elasticity and pregnancy may affect the results.
- Before undertaking any breast surgery, it is advisable to have at least one mammography or breast ultrasound to be used as a reference point.
- Loss of nipple sensation and being unable to breastfeed following breast reduction surgery are two problems very rarely associated with this type of surgery.
